"Placing Decals" Topic

Ok there has to be a better way of placing decals on micro armor and planes? Yes I get it done and it looks nice, but honestly there is some frustration at times. Wanting any thoughts or pics of ways you all do them. I have tried coming up with small jigs to hold parts but that causes issues sometimes more than the help it is worth.

fullmetal

I'm presuming you are putting down a good gloss coat before adding decals. If not then that's important. Do you use decal solutions?

I place my decals using a fine size 1 brush with a very good point. If you are working on tricky areas it's good idea to put down a little water so you can float the decal into place. Then really carefully use a small piece of tissue in a pair of tweezers wick the moisture away without touching the decal.

+1 to Timmo uk. Gloss coat before applying, and decal solutions can be a big help (I use Microset and Microsol).

I concur, gloss coat (or Future), let it dry, then Microset and Microsol, then a matte coat when dry.

Watch out on the last coat of varnish over the decal. I recently found out the hard way, if it's lacquer based it can chew off painstakingly placed decals on microarmour!

Good tips, but I think the OP is asking about how to get the decal from the paper, to the right spot on the model.

I just lay the model down on the table top, and use tweezers and a wet brush to get the transfer where it needs to go. Sometimes I hold the paper (usually with tweezers) right over where I want the decal, and then brush the decal in one direction while pulling the paper out from under it (in the other direction). It's hard to describe.

I make sure the target spot has a big drop of water on it, then holding one side of the paper with a fine pair of tweezers, ease the transfer (I refuse to call them decals, that is for people under 50) off using the tip of a very sharp craft knife.

Once it is floating on the spot of water I jiggle it around with the knife until it is in the right spot.

Cutting the paper as close to the transfer as possible is very helpful.

I never used tweezers, but have used the X-Acto knife blade tip for helping with placement, as well as the edge of a napkin, or a small paintbrush too, to move them into position.

The napkins help wick excess water away as well, once you get the decal(s) in place, so are very useful.

Make sure to have a bit of water on the spot desired, as Martin suggests.

Also, when soaking decals in water, use a very shallow coffee cup dish, with minimal water in it, so you don't have to go chasing after the decal(s) in a big pool of water when they slide off the paper backing. Learned that tip the hard way, over time. That'll let you slide the X-Acto blade underneath more easily as well.

I lay my decals on kitchen paper and then wet the paper. then use a small brush as others